Alumni Criticize RPI Finances and Leadership

See the following link to an Albany Times Union newspaper article:
http://www.timesunion.com/local/article/Troubled-alumni-stop-donating-12512869.php

RPI email blitz to alumni charges that alumni criticism might be based on racism and sexism. See the link below to the Albany Times Union article:

http://www.timesunion.com/news/article/RPI-email-to-alumni-shares-concerns-of-racism-12536402.php

We have been following this as my son has applied to RPI. I would direct people to the website the alumni created to address issues with leadership. We are most concerned with the suppression of free speech for students and declining reputation, but the endowment and financial mismanagement are big too. We are a legacy family and talking to students on campus, we’ve heard very negative things, particularly about the issue around the student run student union (no longer student run). While there may be institutionalized racism or sexism, I don’t think that is the issue here. (There can be both racism/sexism and the fact that the president is not doing a good job). We’ve been openminded, but it seems that the president and at least some of the trustees need to step down for change to occur. The drop in alumni donors has been bad…but that last email sent by administration was a terrible PR move. We are definitely put off by this…it had been a top choice for my son.

Alumni website: https://renewrensselaer.org/

I have been following this topic, as well, since my son is also an applicant. Although we are not a legacy family, while reading through the information on the alumni website and other sources, it is clear to me that there are serious, very serious, issues going on at RPI (and, no, I do not believe the issues revolve around racism or sexism). While I don’t want to sway my son’s decision should he receive an acceptance, both the student suppression and apparent financial mismanagement give me pause (and I already had issues with the price tag).

Clink the link below to read Times Union columnist Chris Churchill’s opinion about the issue of RPI president Shirley Jackson’s management style, the roll (?) of racism and sexism with this issue, and the management/financial concerns of alumni:

http://www.timesunion.com/local/article/Churchill-At-RPI-Shirley-Ann-Jackson-is-hardly-12541630.php

I’m waiting for the administration to put out a statement. I can’t believe they have been silent this long. It is definitely impacting our decision to attend if my son is accepted.

@NWhummingbird I’m curious why this would be a deciding factor if you don’t mind elaborating. In my opinion all unions, and I do literally mean all, always complain about the management. Whether at a work place, institution or organization. Most unions have a (insert pol. part.) attitude about their employers or leaders with regard to the ideological construct, “We Need More”. If you check the history of the student run union for RPI you will find a complaint every single year; it never ends.

I gave up following it a few years ago because there’s no way to satisfy them. On the other hand RPI’s president S. Jackson has been great for RPI in many ways. Although she’s not perfect and I’m sure makes mistakes like all of us, you would have to research to find them.

As far as the construction of a 200 million dollar massive building, yep that’s how much they cost. And then there’s the almuni who said he stopped donating. There wasn’t just one that has stopped donating, there have been many. But on the flip side, you didn’t hear of all the alumni that are proud and grateful to RPI. New alumni that have committed to donating. In fact there was a recent video of gratitudes expressed by old alumni in the RPI youtube channel released recently.

In short there are two sides to every story and the people above have only been posting the union’s side of it. Look carefully at the sources from those articles and see if you can find a common thread for an agenda.

@2reformedman: You miss much of the point made by @NWhummingbird : With the number of choices available to prospective students exploring the educational marketplace, why should they and their parents have to “fight the fight?”

The students and faculty at many educational institutions have good relationships with their president, and they expect their board of trustees to look out for their welfare. Students will likely face many personal and academic challenges during their four years of undergraduate studies. The last concern they might want is the worry about faculty morale, a president’s tenuous tenure, and a decline in the fortunes of the institution at which they have enrolled.

I say, choose “happy” not “sad.”

@reformedman Happy to elaborate, though I really don’t appreciate the condescending tone. “There are two sides to every story…” Really? And not sure why you think I wouldn’t have researched this. As a legacy family, we have been very pro RPI, getting our son’s school registered as a medalist school and requesting a visit from an admissions person. I am aware that students and unions complain about management regularly, but thanks for letting me know. And I have no issue with the cost of the building, not sure why you assumed that. (Though I have an issue with that presidential house). I have issues with the way that the administration handled a big free speech issue (protesting on campus, hardly controversial), how the administration treats students and employees, the ongoing financial management of the endowment and the SEVERE drop off in alumni donations (not just one person!). This impacts the education they can provide and is a bellweather for the health of the university. I’m very familiar with the sterling rep RPI used to have. When we went to see our son’s college counselor, she waved us off RPI as “on the downswing” and “past its prime” (we ignored this and applied anyway.) But it made us dig in more. We’ve contacted current students (children of our friends) to hear what they think. (The Reddit RPI thread is helpful too, to hear what current students think). They all seem to love their professors and friends but…don’t really have great things to say about administration or how they feel treated. They don’t seem like they will be future donors. I’m undecided about the ARCH program and the requirements. Still researching.

We are just doing our due diligence as we look at the best school options for our son. A school’s reputation impacts everything: employment options, the ability to attract the best professors, the best students, the best grants for research. I understand that if you or your child went here, there can be a kneejerk reaction to defend it. But to “stop following” any controversy or complaints is foolish. There are real issues going on. Seems to me that a change in leadership would be a good place to start. Let’s hope that RPI steps up and responds to current concerns. It has so many great things going for it.

My DS is a happy student at RPI and we are pleased to have him attend. The administrators we have dealt with have been more than helpful.

Based on my visit to the school and review of Dr. Jackson’s fundraising abilities, I doubt she will be leaving anytime soon. I believe RPI is near the 1/2 mark of a multi-year billion dollar campaign that was being publicly announced at the October 2017 event. A portion of those funds are earmarked for scholarships, which directly benefits accepted students.

I agree with @reformedman that there are two sides to every story. Dr. Jackson doesn’t give off a cuddly vibe but she is effective in bringing in big thinkers, business connections, and money for the school.

@TQfromtheU I am glad to hear it! Would you share some of that info about who/what Dr. Jackson has brought in? I did see that she increased the Medalist award, which I think is a great move. I’m looking for more positive info. Would love to hear more about the thinkers, connections and money she’s brought it. I’m trying to get the full picture.

@NWhummingbird

https://news.rpi.edu/content/2017/04/04/ernest-j-moniz-former-secretary-energy-serve-2017-commencement-speaker

http://lamp14.server.rpi.edu/president/president-biography Fundraising info begins in fourth paragraph

Thanks @TQfromtheU. I don’t place much stock in the official bio. That is what is up for debate - whether she has been good for donations. Take a look at the student reporting of the finances here. This is one of the things alumni are upset about.
https://poly.rpi.edu/2015/03/04/uncovering_rensselaerrsquos_finances/

And I’m not really swayed by commencement speakers…we’re really trying to figure out where the college is going in 5 and 10 years. Realize we are looking at multiple great universities, as are most applicants. I think the college should try to make a statement about where they are going. The silence isn’t helping.

Another thoughtful read: https://www.chronicle.com/article/How-One-Leader-Set-a-Toxic/240655?key=s9dETd_WXcsL0Wyd4QyF14bsBYg2JWJgxau0bdHW8cINGHF19A7ksfR-tI9izxlqMnJ5ZFd3Z1ozVWV3YmxwUjdZeVZaMGV4ZUtvdENpczNjaEUzb0FoVzlLbw

Here’s the link to a Times Union update on this continuing issue:

http://www.timesunion.com/news/article/Why-did-RPI-send-that-accusatory-email-VP-12546423.php

The link below is a 02/06/18 update on this issue published by the Times Union:

http://www.timesunion.com/news/article/RPI-wanted-alumni-to-send-that-controversial-12556315.php

Stumbled upon this thread. No dog in this fight but an interesting saga. If I was a prospective family, this alone, even without all the other issues discussed here which are numerous and concerning, would give me serious pause:

“particularly about the issue around the student run student union (no longer student run).”

Student autonomy was very important to my kids when looking at colleges.

There are many, many great colleges out there and the competitive climate for colleges going into the coming decade will get increasingly challenging. Unless RPI is offering a student a substantial tuition break over similar options, I’d run far away.

The students still have more autonomy with the Student Union than many other Univiersities. I think the change is a good one as the Union needs a bit of an overhaul. I think the biggest stink is that people do not like change.

@doschicos To clarify, the student union is still entirely student run/funded and there have been no changes to this date to the former structure of the Union. Student government, which is elected by students and the elections are run by students, still exercises full control of all budgeting for student activities and policy. Everything the administration has wanted to approve relating to student life, even today, is being approved by the student government. This is due to the recent student demonstrations and ongoing activism on campus. We ARE still the only student-run union at any private university in the United States and we (the students) will continue to advocate for that position. Also, even though there were controversies over judicial charges against students, the Dean of Students dropped all charges before there was any investigation due to pressure from students and alumni.

If anyone wants specific information on the ongoing issues from a student, I’m pretty involved in the student union and am very familiar with student government at RPI.

@joedoe If you were a prospective student today to RPI, would you choose to accept RPI over other similarly ranked institutions?